Human kinase and polynucleotides encoding the same

ABSTRACT

Novel human polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences are disclosed that can be used in therapeutic, diagnostic, and pharmacogenmic applications.

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/297,856 which was filed on Jun. 13, 2001 and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to the discovery, identification, and characterization of novel human polynucleotides encoding a protein that shares sequence similarity with animal kinases. The invention encompasses the described polynucleotides, host cell expression systems, the encoded proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the encoded proteins and peptides, and genetically engineered animals that either lack or overexpress the disclosed genes, antagonists and agonists of the proteins, and other compounds that modulate the expression or activity of the proteins encoded by the disclosed genes, which can be used for diagnosis, drug screening, clinical trial monitoring, the treatment of diseases and disorders, and cosmetic or nutriceutical applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kinases mediate phosphorylation of a wide variety of proteins and compounds in the cell. Along with phosphatases, kinases are involved in a range of regulatory pathways. Given their physiological importance, kinases have been subject to intense scrutiny and are proven drug targets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery, identification, and characterization of nucleotides that encode a novel human protein, and the corresponding amino acid sequence of this protein. The novel human kinase (NHK) described for the first time herein shares structural similarity with animal kinases, including, but not limited to, serine/threonine kinases, calcium/calmodulin dependent kinases, and rho-associated kinases. As such, the novel polynucleotides encode a new kinase protein having homologues and orthologs across a range of phyla and species.

The novel human polynucleotides described herein encode an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 359 amino acids in length (see SEQ ID NO: 2).

The invention also encompasses agonists and antagonists of the described NHKs, including small molecules, large molecules, mutant NHKs, or portions thereof, that compete with native NHK, peptides, and antibodies, as well as nucleotide sequences that can be used to inhibit the expression of the described NHKs (e.g., antisense and ribozyme molecules, and open reading frame or regulatory sequence replacement constructs) or to enhance the expression of the described NHKs (e.g., expression constructs that place the described polynucleotide under the control of a strong promoter system), and transgenic animals that express a NHK sequence, or “knock-out” (which can be conditional) that do not express a functional NHK. Knock-out mice can be produced in several ways, one of which involves the use of mouse embryonic stem cells (“ES cells”) lines that contain gene trap mutations in a murine homolog of at least one of the described NHKs. When the unique NHK sequences described in SEQ ID NOS:1-3 are “knocked-out” they provide a method of identifying phenotypic expression of the particular gene as well as a method of assigning function to previously unknown genes. In addition, animals in which the unique NHK sequences described in SEQ ID NOS:1-3 are “knocked-out” provide a unique source in which to elicit antibodies to homologous and orthologous proteins which would have been previously viewed by the immune system as “self” and therefore would have failed to elicit significant antibody responses.

Additionally, the unique NHK sequences described in SEQ ID NOS:1-3 are useful for the identification of protein coding sequence and mapping a unique gene to a particular chromosome. These sequences identify actual, biologically verified, and therefore relevant, exon splice junctions as opposed to those that may have been bioinformatically predicted from genomic sequence alone. The sequences of the present invention are also useful as additional DNA markers for restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, and in forensic biology.

Further, the present invention also relates to processes for identifying compounds that modulate, i.e., act as agonists or antagonists, of NHK expression and/or NHK activity that utilize purified preparations of the described NHKs and/or NHK product, or cells expressing the same. Such compounds can be used as therapeutic agents for the treatment of any of a wide variety of symptoms associated with biological disorders or imbalances.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCE LISTING AND FIGURES

The Sequence Listing provides the sequence of a novel human ORF that encodes the described novel human kinase protein. SEQ ID NO:3 describes the NHK ORF and flanking sequences.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The NHK described for the first time herein, is a novel protein that is expressed in, inter alia, human cell lines, and human lymph node, bone marrow, esophagus, fetal kidney, fetal lung, tongue, adenocarcinoma, and osteocarcinoma cells. The described sequences were compiled from human genomic sequence and cDNAs made from human fetal lung, fetal kidney, esophagus, and lymph node mRNAs (Edge Biosystems, Gaithersburg, Md. Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.).

The present invention encompasses the nucleotides presented in the Sequence Listing, host cells expressing such nucleotides, the expression products of such nucleotides, and: (a) nucleotides that encode mammlian homologs of the described genes, including the specifically described NHK, and the NHK products; (b) nucleotides that encode one or more portions of the NHK that correspond to functional domains, and the polypeptide products specified by such nucleotide sequences, including but not limited to the novel regions of any active domain(s); (c) isolated nucleotides that encode mutant versions, engineered or naturally occurring, of the described NHK in which all or a part of at least one domain is deleted or altered, and the polypeptide products specified by such nucleotide sequences, including but not limited to soluble proteins and peptides in which all or a portion of the signal sequence is deleted; (d) nucleotides that encode chimeric fusion proteins containing all or a portion of a coding region of a NHK, or one of its domains (e.g., a receptor/ligand binding domain, accessory protein/self-association domain, etc.) fused to another peptide or polypeptide; or (e) therapeutic or diagnostic derivatives of the described polynucleotides such as oligonucleotides, antisense polynucleotides, ribozymes, dsRNA, or gene therapy constructs comprising a sequence first disclosed in the Sequence Listing. As discussed above, the present invention includes: (a) the human DNA sequences presented in the Sequence Listing (and vectors comprising the same) and additionally contemplates any nucleotide sequence encoding a contiguous NHK open reading frame (ORF) that hybridizes to a complement of a DNA sequence presented in the Sequence Listing under highly stringent conditions, e.g., hybridization to filter-bound DNA in 0.5 M NaHPO₄, 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 1 mM EDTA at 65° C., and washing in 0.1×SSC/0.1% SDS at 68° C. (Ausubel F.M. et al., eds., 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vol. I, Green Publishing Associates, Inc., and John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY, at p. 2.10.3) and encodes a functionally equivalent expression product. Additionally contemplated are any nucleotide sequences that hybridize to the complement of the DNA sequence that encode and express an amino acid sequence presented in the Sequence Listing under moderately stringent conditions, e.g., washing in 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at 42° C. (Ausubel et al., 1989, supra), yet still encode a functionally equivalent NHK product. Functional equivalents of a NHK include naturally occurring NHKs present in other species and mutant NHKs whether naturally occurring or engineered (by site directed mutagenesis, gene shuffling, directed evolution as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,837,458 or 5,723,323 both of which are herein incorporated by reference). The invention also includes degenerate nucleic acid variants of the disclosed NHK polynucleotide sequences.

Additionally contemplated are polynucleotides encoding NHK ORFs, or their functional equivalents, encoded by polynucleotide sequences that are about 99, 95, 90, or about 85 percent similar to corresponding regions of SEQ ID NO:1 (as measured by BLAST sequence comparison analysis using, for example, the GCG sequence analysis package using default parameters).

The invention also includes nucleic acid molecules, preferably DNA molecules, that hybridize to, and are therefore the complements of, the described NHK encoding polynucleotides. Such hybridization conditions can be highly stringent or less highly stringent, as described above. In instances where the nucleic acid molecules are deoxyoligonucleotides (“DNA oligos”), such molecules are generally about 16 to about 100 bases long, or about 20 to about 80,or about 34 to about 45 bases long, or any variation or combination of sizes represented therein that incorporate a contiguous region of sequence first disclosed in the Sequence Listing. Such oligonucleotides can be used in conjunction with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to screen libraries, isolate clones, and prepare cloning and sequencing templates, etc.

Alternatively, such NHK oligonucleotides can be used as hybridization probes for screening libraries, and assessing gene expression patterns (particularly using a micro array or high-throughput “chip” format). Additionally, a series of the described NHK oligonucleotide sequences, or the complements thereof, can be used to represent all or a portion of the described NHK sequences. An oligonucleotide or polynucleotide sequence first disclosed in at least a portion of one or more of the sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1-3 can be used as a hybridization probe in conjunction with a solid support matrix/substrate (resins, beads, membranes, plastics, polymers, metal or metallized substrates, crystalline or polycrystalline substrates, etc.). Of particular note are spatially addressable arrays (i.e., gene chips, microtiter plates, etc.) of oligonucleotides and polynucleotides, or corresponding oligopeptides and polypeptides, wherein at least one of the biopolymers present on the spatially addressable array comprises an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide sequence first disclosed in at least one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1-3,or an amino acid sequence encoded thereby. Methods for attaching biopolymers to, or synthesizing biopolymers on, solid support matrices, and conducting binding studies thereon are disclosed in, inter alia, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,700,637, 5,556,752, 5,744,305, 4,631,211, 5,445,934, 5,252,743, 4,713,326, 5,424,186, and 4,689,405 the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Addressable arrays comprising sequences first disclosed in SEQ ID NOS:1-3 can be used to identify and characterize the temporal and tissue specific expression of a gene. These addressable arrays incorporate oligonucleotide sequences of sufficient length to confer the required specificity, yet be within the limitations of the production technology. The length of these probes is within a range of between about 8 to about 2000 nucleotides. Preferably the probes consist of 60 nucleotides and more preferably 25 nucleotides from the sequences first disclosed in SEQ ID NOS:1-3.

For example, a series of the described oligonucleotide sequences, or the complements thereof, can be used in chip format to represent all or a portion of the described sequences. The oligonucleotides, typically between about 16 to about 40 (or any whole number within the stated range) nucleotides in length can partially overlap each other and/or the sequence may be represented using oligonucleotides that do not overlap. Accordingly, the described polynucleotide sequences shall typically comprise at least about two or three distinct oligonucleotide sequences of at least about 8 nucleotides in length that are each first disclosed in the described Sequence Listing. Such oligonucleotide sequences can begin at any nucleotide present within a sequence in the Sequence Listing and proceed in either a sense (5′-to-3′) orientation vis-a-vis the described sequence or in an antisense orientation.

Microarray-based analysis allows the discovery of broad patterns of genetic activity, providing new understanding of gene functions and generating novel and unexpected insight into transcriptional processes and biological mechanisms. The use of addressable arrays comprising sequences first disclosed in SEQ ID NOS:1-3 provides detailed information about transcriptional changes involved in a specific pathway, potentially leading to the identification of novel components or gene functions that manifest themselves as novel phenotypes.

Probes consisting of sequences first disclosed in SEQ ID NOS:1-3 can also be used in the identification, selection and validation of novel molecular targets for drug discovery. The use of these unique sequences permits the direct confirmation of drug targets and recognition of drug dependent changes in gene expression that are modulated through pathways distinct from the drugs intended target. These unique sequences therefore also have utility in defining and monitoring both drug action and toxicity.

As an example of utility, the sequences first disclosed in SEQ ID NOS:1-3 can be utilized in microarrays or other assay formats, to screen collections of genetic material from patients who have a particular medical condition. These investigations can also be carried out using the sequences first disclosed in SEQ ID NOS:1-3 in silico and by comparing previously collected genetic databases and the disclosed sequences using computer software known to those in the art.

Thus the sequences first disclosed in SEQ ID NOS:1-3 can be used to identify mutations associated with a particular disease and also as a diagnostic or prognostic assay.

Although the presently described sequences have been specifically described using nucleotide sequence, it should be appreciated that each of the sequences can uniquely be described using any of a wide variety of additional structural attributes, or combinations thereof. For example, a given sequence can be described by the net composition of the nucleotides present within a given region of the sequence in conjunction with the presence of one or more specific oligonucleotide sequence(s) first disclosed in the SEQ ID NOS: 1-3. Alternatively, a restriction map specifying the relative positions of restriction endonuclease digestion sites, or various palindromic or other specific oligonucleotide sequences can be used to structurally describe a given sequence. Such restriction maps, which are typically generated by widely available computer programs (e.g., the University of Wisconsin GCG sequence analysis package, SEQUENCHER 3.0,Gene Codes Corp., Ann Arbor, Mich., etc.), can optionally be used in conjunction with one or more discrete nucleotide sequence(s) present in the sequence that can be described by the relative position of the sequence relative to one or more additional sequence(s) or one or more restriction sites present in the disclosed sequence.

For oligonucleotide probes, highly stringent conditions may refer, e.g., to washing in 6×SSC/0.05% sodium pyrophosphate at 37° C. (for 14-base oligos), 48° C. (for 17-base oligos), 55° C. (for 20-base oligos), and 60° C. (for 23-base oligos). These nucleic acid molecules may encode or act as NHK gene antisense molecules, useful, for example, in NHK gene regulation and/or as antisense primers in amplification reactions of NHK gene nucleic acid sequences. With respect to NHK gene regulation, such techniques can be used to regulate biological functions. Further, such sequences can be used as part of ribozyme and/or triple helix sequences that are also useful for NHK gene regulation.

Inhibitory antisense or double stranded oligonucleotides can additionally comprise at least one modified base moiety which is selected from the group including but not limited to 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromouracil, 5-chlorouracil, 5-iodouracil, hypoxanthine, xanthine, 4-acetylcytosine, 5-(carboxyhydroxylmethyl) uracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine, 5-carboxyrmethylaminomethyluracil, dihydrouracil, beta-D-galactosylqueosine, inosine, N6-isopentenyladenine, 1-methylguanine, 1-methylinosine, 2,2-dimethylguanine, 2-methyladenine, 2-methylguanine, 3-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, N6-adenine, 7-methylguanine, 5-methylaminomethyluracil, 5-methoxyaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, beta-D-mannosylqueosine, 5′-methoxycarboxymethyluracil, 5-methoxyuracil, 2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyladenine, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid (v), wybutoxosine, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 5-methyluracil, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid (v), 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 3-(3-amino-3-N-2-carboxypropyl) uracil, (acp3)w, and 2,6-diaminopurine.

The antisense oligonucleotide can also comprise at least one modified sugar moiety selected from the group including but not limited to arabinose, 2-fluoroarabinose, xylulose, and hexose.

In yet another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotide will comprise at least one modified phosphate backbone selected from the group including, but not limited to, a phosphorothioate, a phosphorodithioate, a phosphoramidothioate, a phosphoramidate, a phosphordiamidate, a methylphosphonate, an alkyl phosphotriester, and a formacetal or analog thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotide is an β-anomeric oligonucleotide. An α-anomeric oligonucleotide forms specific double-stranded hybrids with complementary RNA in which, contrary to the usual β-units, the strands run parallel to each other (Gautier et al., 1987,Nucl. Acids Res. 15:6625-6641). The oligonucleotide is a 2′-O-methylribonucleotide (Inoue et al., 1987,Nucl. Acids Res. 15:6131-6148), or a chimeric RNA-DNA analogue (Inoue et al., 1987,FEBS Lett. 215:327-330). Alternatively, double stranded RNA can be used to disrupt the expression and function of a targeted NHK.

Oligonucleotides of the invention can be synthesized by standard methods known in the art, e.g. by use of an automated DNA synthesizer (such as are commercially available from Biosearch, Applied Biosystems, etc.). As examples, phosphorothioate oligonucleotides can be synthesized by the method of Stein et al. (1988,Nucl. Acids Res. 16:3209), and methylphosphonate oligonucleotides can be prepared by use of controlled pore glass polymer supports (Sarin et al., 1988,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:7448-7451), etc.

Low stringency conditions are well-known to those of skill in the art, and will vary predictably depending on the specific organisms from which the library and the labeled sequences are derived. For guidance regarding such conditions see, for example, Sambrook et al., 1989,Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual (and periodic updates thereof), Cold Spring Harbor Press, NY; and Ausubel et al., 1989,Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Green Publishing Associates and Wiley Interscience, NY.

Alternatively, suitably labeled NHK nucleotide probes can be used to screen a human genomic library using appropriately stringent conditions or by PCR. The identification and characterization of human genomic clones is helpful for identifying polymorphisms (including, but not limited to, nucleotide repeats, microsatellite alleles, single nucleotide polymorphisms, or coding single nucleotide polymorphisms), determining the genomic structure of a given locus/allele, and designing diagnostic tests. For example, sequences derived from regions adjacent to the intron/exon boundaries of the human gene can be used to design primers for use in amplification assays to detect mutations within the exons, introns, splice sites (e.g., splice acceptor and/or donor sites), etc., that can be used in diagnostics and pharmacogenomics.

In another example, the present sequences can be used in restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis to identify specific individuals. In this technique, an individual's genomic DNA is digested with one or more restriction enzymes, and probed on a Southern blot to yield unique bands for identification (as generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,057,incorporated herein by reference). In addition, the sequences of the present invention can be used to provide polynucleotide reagents, e.g., PCR primers, targeted to specific loci in the human genome, which can enhance the reliability of DNA-based forensic identifications by, for example, providing another “identification markers (i.e., another DNA sequence that is unique to a particular individual). Actual base sequence information can be used for identification as an accurate alternative to patterns formed by restriction enzyme generated fragments.

Further, a NHK gene homolog can be isolated from nucleic acid from an organism of interest by performing PCR using two degenerate or “wobble” oligonucleotide primer pools designed on the basis of amino acid sequences within the NHK products disclosed herein. The template for the reaction may be total RNA, MRNA, and/or cDNA obtained by reverse transcription of mRNA prepared from, for example, human or non-human cell lines or tissue, such as prostate, rectum, colon, or adrenal gland, known or suspected to express an allele of a NHK gene.

The PCR product can be subcloned and sequenced to ensure that the amplified sequences represent the sequence of the desired NHK gene. The PCR fragment can then be used to isolate a full length cDNA clone by a variety of methods. For example, the amplified fragment can be labeled and used to screen a cDNA library, such as a bacteriophage cDNA library. Alternatively, the labeled fragment can be used to isolate genomic clones via the screening of a genomic library.

PCR technology can also be used to isolate full length cDNA sequences. For example, RNA can be isolated, following standard procedures, from an appropriate cellular or tissue source (i.e., one known to, or suspected of, expressing a NHK gene). A reverse transcription (RT) reaction can be performed on the RNA using an oligonucleotide primer specific for the most 5′ end of the amplified fragment for the priming of first strand synthesis. The resulting RNA/DNA hybrid may then be “tailed” using a standard terminal transferase reaction, the hybrid may be digested with RNase H, and second strand synthesis may then be primed with a complementary primer. Thus, cDNA sequences upstream of the amplified fragment can be isolated. For a review of cloning strategies that can be used, see e.g., Sambrook et al., 1989, supra.

A cDNA encoding a mutant NHK sequence can be isolated, for example, by using PCR. In this case, the first CDNA strand may be synthesized by hybridizing an oligo-dT oligonucleotide to mRNA isolated from tissue known or suspected to be expressed in an individual putatively carrying a mutant NHK allele, and by extending the new strand with reverse transcriptase. The second strand of the CDNA is then synthesized using an oligonucleotide that hybridizes specifically to the 5′ end of the normal sequence. Using these two primers, the product is then amplified via PCR, optionally cloned into a suitable vector, and subjected to DNA sequence analysis through methods well-known to those of skill in the art. By comparing the DNA sequence of the mutant NHK allele to that of a corresponding normal NHK allele, the mutation(s) responsible for the loss or alteration of function of the mutant NHK gene product can be ascertained.

Alternatively, a genomic library can be constructed using DNA obtained from an individual suspected of or known to carry a mutant NHK allele (e.g., a person manifesting a NHK-associated phenotype such as, for example, immune disorders, obesity, high blood pressure, etc.), or a cDNA library can be constructed using RNA from a tissue known, or suspected, to express a mutant NHK allele. A normal NHK gene, or any suitable fragment thereof, can then be labeled and used as a probe to identify the corresponding mutant NHK allele in such libraries. Clones containing mutant NHK sequences can then be purified and subjected to sequence analysis according to methods well-known to those skilled in the art.

Additionally, an expression library can be constructed utilizing cDNA synthesized from, for example, RNA isolated from a tissue known, or suspected, to express a mutant NHK allele in an individual suspected of or known to carry such a mutant allele. In this manner, gene products made by the putatively mutant tissue may be expressed and screened using standard antibody screening techniques in conjunction with antibodies raised against a normal NHK product, as described below. For screening techniques, see, for example, Harlow, E. and Lane, eds., 1988,“Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual”, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.

Additionally, screening can be accomplished by screening with labeled NHK fusion proteins, such as, for example, alkaline phosphatase-NHK or NHK-alkaline phosphatase fusion proteins. In cases where a NHK mutation results in an expression product with altered function (e.g., as a result of a missense or a frameshift mutation), polyclonal antibodies to NHK are likely to cross-react with a corresponding mutant NHK expression product. Library clones detected via their reaction with such labeled antibodies can be purified and subjected to sequence analysis according to methods well-known in the art.

An additional application of the described novel human polynucleotide sequences is their use in the molecular mutagenesis/evolution of proteins that are at least partially encoded by the described novel sequences using, for example, polynucleotide shuffling or related methodologies. Such approaches are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,830,721 and 5,837,458 which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The invention also encompasses (a) DNA vectors that contain any of the foregoing NHK coding sequences and/or their complements (i.e., antisense); (b) DNA expression vectors that contain any of the foregoing NHK coding sequences operatively associated with a regulatory element that directs the expression of the coding sequences (for example, baculovirus as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,336 herein incorporated by reference); (c) genetically engineered host cells that contain any of the foregoing NHK coding sequences operatively associated with a regulatory element that directs the expression of the coding sequences in the host cell;

and (d) genetically engineered host cells that express an endogenous NHK sequence under the control of an exogenously introduced regulatory element (i.e., gene activation). As used herein, regulatory elements include, but are not limited to, inducible and non-inducible promoters, enhancers, operators and other elements known to those skilled in the art that drive and regulate expression. Such regulatory elements include but are not limited to the cytomegalovirus (hCMV) immediate early gene, regulatable, viral elements (particularly retroviral LTR promoters), the early or late promoters of SV40 adenovirus, the lac system, the trp system, the TAC system, the TRC system, the major operator and promoter regions of phage lambda, the control regions of fd coat protein, the promoter for 3-phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), the promoters of acid phosphatase, and the promoters of the yeast α-mating factors.

The present invention also encompasses antibodies and anti-idiotypic antibodies (including Fab fragments), antagonists and agonists of a NHK, as well as compounds or nucleotide constructs that inhibit expression of a NHK sequence (transcription factor inhibitors, antisense and ribozyme molecules, or open reading frame sequence or regulatory sequence replacement constructs), or promote the expression of a NHK (e.g., expression constructs in which NHK coding sequences are operatively associated with expression control elements such as promoters, promoter/enhancers, etc.).

Where, as in the present instance, some of the described NHK peptides or polypeptides are likely to be cytoplasmic proteins, expression systems can be engineered that produce soluble derivatives of a NHK (corresponding to a NHK extracellular and/or intracellular domains, or truncated polypeptides lacking one or more hydrophobic domains) and/or NHK fusion protein products (especially NHK-Ig fusion proteins, i.e., fusions of a NHK domain to an IgFc), NHK antibodies, and anti-idiotypic antibodies (including Fab fragments) that can be used in therapeutic applications. Preferably, the above expression systems are engineered to allow the desired peptide or polypeptide to be recovered from the culture media.

The NHKs or NHK peptides, NHK fusion proteins, NHK nucleotide sequences, antibodies, antagonists and agonists can be useful for the detection of mutant NHKs or inappropriately expressed NHKs for the diagnosis of disease. The NHK proteins or peptides, NHK fusion proteins, NHK nucleotide sequences, host cell expression systems, antibodies, antagonists, agonists and genetically engineered cells and animals can be used for screening for drugs (or high throughput screening of combinatorial libraries) effective in the treatment of the symptomatic or phenotypic manifestations of perturbing the normal function of NHK in the body. The use of engineered host cells and/or animals can offer an advantage in that such systems allow not only for the identification of compounds that bind to the endogenous receptor/ligand of a NHK, but can also identify compounds that trigger NHK-mediated activities or pathways.

Finally, the NHK products can be used as therapeutics. For example, soluble derivatives such as NHK peptides/domains corresponding to the NHKs, NHK fusion protein products (especially NHK-Ig fusion proteins, i.e., fusions of a NHK, or a domain of a NHK, to an IgFc), NHK antibodies and anti-idiotypic antibodies (including Fab fragments), antagonists or agonists (including compounds that modulate or act on downstream targets in a NHK-mediated pathway) can be used to directly treat diseases or disorders. For instance, the administration of an effective amount of soluble NHK, or a NHK-IgFc fusion protein or an anti-idiotypic antibody (or its Fab) that mimics the NHK could activate or effectively antagonize the endogenous NHK or a protein interactive therewith. Nucleotide constructs encoding such NHK products can be used to genetically engineer host cells to express such products in vivo; these genetically engineered cells function as 37 bioreactors” in the body delivering a continuous supply of a NHK, a NHK peptide, or a NHK fusion protein to the body. Nucleotide constructs encoding functional NHKs, mutant NHKS, as well as antisense and ribozyme molecules can also be used in “gene therapy” approaches for the modulation of NHK expression. Thus, the invention also encompasses pharmaceutical formulations and methods for treating biological disorders.

Various aspects of the invention are described in greater detail in the subsections below.

The NHK Sequences

The cDNA sequences and the corresponding deduced amino acid sequence of the described NHK are presented in the Sequence Listing. The NHK nucleotide sequences were obtained from cDNAs obtained using probes and/or primers generated from human genomic sequence.

Expression analysis has provided evidence that the described NHKs are expressed in a variety of tissues, and that the NHK shares significant similarity with a variety of protein kinases. Given the physiological importance of protein kinases, they have been subject to intense scrutiny as exemplified and discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,756,289, 5,817,479 and 6,340,583,which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. These issued U.S. Patents additionally describe a variety of uses and applications for the described NHK.

The described NHK is apparently encoded by several exons dispersed on human chromosome 19 (see GENBANK accession no. AC008735). Accordingly, the described NHK can be used to map the coding region of the corresponding human genomic locus (i.e., chromosome mapping), and to identify exon splice junctions.

The described novel human polynucleotide sequences can be used, among other things, in the molecular mutagenesis/evolution of proteins that are at least partially encoded by the described novel sequences using, for example, polynucleotide shuffling or related methodologies. Such approaches are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,830,721 and 5,837,458 which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

NHK gene products can also be expressed in transgenic animals. Animals of any species, including, but not limited to, worms, mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, micro-pigs, birds, goats, and non-human primates, e.g., baboons, monkeys, and chimpanzees may be used to generate NHK transgenic animals.

Any technique known in the art may be used to introduce a NHK transgene into animals to produce the founder lines of transgenic animals. Such techniques include, but are not limited to pronuclear microinjection (Hoppe, P. C. and Wagner, T. E., 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,191); retrovirus-mediated gene transfer into germ lines (Van der Putten et al., 1985, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:6148-6152); gene targeting in embryonic stem cells (Thompson et al., 1989, Cell 56:313-321); electroporation of embryos (Lo, 1983, Mol Cell. Biol. 3:1803-1814); and sperm-mediated gene transfer (Lavitrano et al., 1989, Cell 57:717-723); etc. For a review of such techniques, see Gordon, 1989, Transgenic Animals, Intl. Rev. Cytol. 115:171-229, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present invention provides for transgenic animals that carry the NHK transgene in all their cells, as well as animals which carry the transgene in some, but not all their cells, i.e., mosaic animals or somatic cell transgenic animals. The transgene may be integrated as a single transgene or in concatamers, e.g., head-to-head tandems or head-to-tail tandems. The transgene may also be selectively introduced into and activated in a particular cell-type by following, for example, the teaching of Lasko et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:6232-6236. The regulatory sequences required for such a cell-type specific activation will depend upon the particular cell-type of interest, and will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

When it is desired that a NHK transgene be integrated into the chromosomal site of the endogenous NHK gene, gene targeting is preferred. Briefly, when such a technique is to be utilized, vectors containing some nucleotide sequences homologous to the endogenous NHK gene are designed for the purpose of integrating, via homologous recombination with chromosomal sequences, into and disrupting the function of the nucleotide sequence of the endogenous NHK gene (i.e., “knockout” animals).

The transgene can also be selectively introduced into a particular cell-type, thus inactivating the endogenous NHK gene in only that cell-type, by following, for example, the teaching of Gu et al., 1994, Science, 265:103-106. The regulatory sequences required for such a cell-type specific inactivation will depend upon the particular cell-type of interest, and will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

Once transgenic animals have been generated, the expression of the recombinant NHK gene may be assayed utilizing standard techniques. Initial screening may be accomplished by Southern blot analysis or PCR techniques to analyze animal tissues to assay whether integration of the transgene has taken place. The level of MRNA expression of the transgene in the tissues of the transgenic animals may also be assessed using techniques which include but are not limited to Northern blot analysis of tissue samples obtained from the animal, in situ hybridization analysis, and RT-PCR. Samples of NHK gene-expressing tissue, may also be evaluated immunocytochemically using antibodies specific for the NHK transgene product.

The present invention also provides for “knock-in” animals. Knock-in animals are those in which a polynucleotide sequence (i.e., a gene or a cDNA) that the animal does not naturally have in its genome is inserted in such a way that the sequence is expressed. Examples include, but are not limited to, a human gene or cDNA used to replace its murine ortholog in the mouse, a murine CDNA used to replace the murine gene in the mouse, and a human gene or CDNA or murine CDNA that is tagged with a reporter construct used to replace the murine ortholog or gene in the mouse. Such replacements can occur at the locus of the murine ortholog or gene, or at another specific site. Such knock-in animals are useful for the in vivo study, testing and validation of, intra alia, human drug targets, as well as for compounds that are directed at the same and therapeutic proteins. 5.2 NHK and NHK Polypeptides

NHK products, polypeptides, peptide fragments, mutated, truncated, or deleted forms of the NHKs, and/or NHK fusion proteins can be prepared for a variety of uses. These uses include, but are not limited to the generation of antibodies, as reagents in diagnostic assays, the identification of other cellular gene products related to the NHK, as reagents in assays for screening for compounds that can be used as pharmaceutical reagents for the therapeutic treatment of mental, biological, or medical disorders and disease.

The Sequence Listing discloses the amino acid sequence encoded by the described NHK-encoding polynucleotides. The NHK has an initiator methionine in a DNA sequence context consistent with eucaryotic translation initiation site and lacks a signal-like sequence indicating that the NHK can be cytoplasmic, nuclear, secreted, or membrane associated.

The NHK amino acid sequence of the invention include the amino acid sequence presented in the Sequence Listing as well as analogues and derivatives thereof. Further, corresponding NHK homologues from other species are encompassed by the invention. In fact, any NHK protein encoded by the NHK nucleotide sequences described above are within the scope of the invention, as are any novel polynucleotide sequences encoding all or any novel portion of an amino acid sequence presented in the Sequence Listing. The degenerate nature of the genetic code is well-known, and, accordingly, each amino acid presented in the Sequence Listing, is generically representative of the well-known nucleic acid “triplet” codon, or in many cases codons, that can encode the amino acid. As such, as contemplated herein, the amino acid sequences presented in the Sequence Listing, when taken together with the genetic code (see, for example, Table 4-1 at page 109 of “Molecular Cell Biology”, 1986, J. Darnell et al. eds., Scientific American Books, New York, N.Y., herein incorporated by reference) are generically representative of all the various permutations and combinations of nucleic acid sequences that can encode such amino acid sequences.

The invention also encompasses proteins that are functionally equivalent to the NHK products encoded by the presently described nucleotide sequences as judged by any of a number of criteria, including, but not limited to, the ability to bind and modify a NHK substrate, or the ability to effect an identical or complementary downstream pathway, or a change in cellular metabolism (e.g., proteolytic activity, ion flux, tyrosine phosphorylation, etc.). Such functionally equivalent NHK proteins include, but are not limited to, additions or substitutions of amino acid residues within the amino acid sequence encoded by the NHK nucleotide sequences described above, but which result in a silent change, thus producing a functionally equivalent expression product. Amino acid substitutions can be made on the basis of similarity in polarity, charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and/or the amphipathic nature of the residues involved. For example, nonpolar (hydrophobic) amino acids include alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and methionine; polar neutral amino acids include glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, and glutamine; positively charged (basic) amino acids include arginine, lysine, and histidine; and negatively charged (acidic) amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid.

A variety of host-expression vector systems can be used to express the NHK nucleotide sequences of the invention. Where the NHK peptide or polypeptide can exist, or has been engineered to exist, as a soluble or secreted molecule, the soluble NHK peptide or polypeptide can be recovered from the culture media. Such expression systems also encompass engineered host cells that express a NHK, or functional equivalent, in situ. Purification or enrichment of a NHK from such expression systems can be accomplished using appropriate detergents and lipid micelles and methods well-known to those skilled in the art. However, such engineered host cells themselves may be used in situations where it is important not only to retain the structural and functional characteristics of the NHK, but to assess biological activity, e.g., in certain drug screening assays.

The expression systems that may be used for purposes of the invention include, but are not limited to, microorganisms such as bacteria (e.g., E. coli, B. subtilis) transformed with recombinant bacteriophage DNA, plasmid DNA or cosmid DNA expression vectors containing NHK nucleotide sequences; yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces, Pichia) transformed with recombinant yeast expression vectors containing NHK nucleotide sequences; insect cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus) containing NHK nucleotide sequences; plant cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus, CaMV; tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) or transformed with recombinant plasmid expression vectors (e.g., Ti plasmid) containing NHK nucleotide sequences; or mammalian cell systems (e.g., COS, CHO, BHK, 293, 3T3) harboring recombinant expression constructs containing NHK nucleotide sequences and promoters derived from the genome of mammalian cells (e.g., metallothionein promoter) or from mammalian viruses (e.g., the adenovirus late promoter; the vaccinia virus 7.5K promoter).

In bacterial systems, a number of expression vectors may be advantageously selected depending upon the use intended for the NHK product being expressed. For example, when a large quantity of such a protein is to be produced for the generation of pharmaceutical compositions of or containing NHK, or for raising antibodies to a NHK, vectors that direct the expression of high levels of fusion protein products that are readily purified may be desirable. Such vectors include, but are not limited, to the E. coli expression vector pUR278 (Ruther et al., 1983, EMBO J. 2:1791), in which a NHK coding sequence may be ligated individually into the vector in frame with the lacZ coding region so that a fusion protein is produced; pIN vectors (Inouye & Inouye, 1985, Nucleic Acids Res. 13:3101-3109; Van Heeke & Schuster, 1989, J. Biol. Chem. 264:5503-5509); and the like. pGEX vectors may also be used to express foreign polypeptides as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase (GST). In general, such fusion proteins are soluble and can easily be purified from lysed cells by adsorption to glutathione-agarose beads followed by elution in the presence of free glutathione. The PGEX vectors are designed to include thrombin or factor Xa protease cleavage sites so that the cloned target expression product can be released from the GST moiety.

In an insect system, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) is used as a vector to express foreign polynucleotide sequences. The virus grows in Spodoptera frugiperda cells. A NHK coding sequence can be cloned individually into non-essential regions (for example the polyhedrin gene) of the virus and placed under control of an AcNPV promoter (for example the polyhedrin promoter). Successful insertion of NHK coding sequence will result in inactivation of the polyhedrin gene and production of non-occluded recombinant virus (i.e., virus lacking the proteinaceous coat coded for by the polyhedrin gene). These recombinant viruses are then used to infect Spodoptera frugiperda cells in which the inserted sequence is expressed (e.g., see Smith et al., 1983, J. Virol. 46: 584; Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,051).

In mammalian host cells, a number of viral-based expression systems can be utilized. In cases where an adenovirus is used as an expression vector, the NHK nucleotide sequence of interest may be ligated to an adenovirus transcription/translation control complex, e.g., the late promoter and tripartite leader sequence. This chimeric sequence may then be inserted in the adenovirus genome by in vitro or in vivo recombination. Insertion in a non-essential region of the viral genome (e.g., region El or E3) will result in a recombinant virus that is viable and capable of expressing a NHK product in infected hosts (e.g., See Logan & Shenk, 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:3655-3659). Specific initiation signals may also be required for efficient translation of inserted NHK nucleotide sequences. These signals include the ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences. In cases where an entire NHK gene or cDNA, including its own initiation codon and adjacent sequences, is inserted into the appropriate expression vector, no additional translational control signals may be needed. However, in cases where only a portion of a NHK coding sequence is inserted, exogenous translational control signals, including, perhaps, the ATG initiation codon, must be provided. Furthermore, the initiation codon must be in phase with the reading frame of the desired coding sequence to ensure translation of the entire insert. These exogenous translational control signals and initiation codons can be of a variety of origins, both natural and synthetic. The efficiency of expression may be enhanced by the inclusion of appropriate transcription enhancer elements, transcription terminators, etc. (See Bitter et al., 1987, Methods in Enzymol. 153:516-544).

In addition, a host cell strain may be chosen that modulates the expression of the inserted sequences, or modifies and processes the expression product in the specific fashion desired. Such modifications (e.g., glycosylation) and processing (e.g., cleavage) of protein products may be important for the function of the protein. Different host cells have characteristic and specific mechanisms for the post-translational processing and modification of proteins and expression products. Appropriate cell lines or host systems can be chosen to ensure the correct modification and processing of the foreign protein expressed. To this end, eukaryotic host cells which possess the cellular machinery for proper processing of the primary transcript, glycosylation, and phosphorylation of the expression product may be used. Such mammalian host cells include, but are not limited to, CHO, VERO, BHK, HeLa, COS, MDCK, 293, 3T3, WI38, and in particular, human cell lines.

For long-term, high-yield production of recombinant proteins, stable expression is preferred. For example, cell lines which stably express the NHK sequences described above can be engineered. Rather than using expression vectors which contain viral origins of replication, host cells can be transformed with DNA controlled by appropriate expression control elements (e.g., promoter, enhancer sequences, transcription terminators, polyadenylation sites, etc.), and a selectable marker. Following the introduction of the foreign DNA, engineered cells may be allowed to grow for 1-2 days in an enriched media, and then are switched to a selective media. The selectable marker in the recombinant plasmid confers resistance to the selection and allows cells to stably integrate the plasmid into their chromosomes and grow to form foci which in turn can be cloned and expanded into cell lines. This method may advantageously be used to engineer cell lines which express the NHK product. Such engineered cell lines may be particularly useful in screening and evaluation of compounds that affect the endogenous activity of the NHK product.

A number of selection systems may be used, including but not limited to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Wigler et al., 1977, Cell 11:223), hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (Szybalska and Szybalski, 1962, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 48:2026), and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (Lowy et al., 1980, Cell 22:817) genes, which can be employed in tk⁻, hgprt⁻or aprt⁻cells, respectively. Also, antimetabolite resistance can be used as the basis of selection for the following genes: dhfr, which confers resistance to methotrexate (Wigler et al., 1980, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:3567; O'Hare et al., 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:1527); gpt, which confers resistance to mycophenolic acid (Mulligan and Berg, 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:2072); neo, which confers resistance to the aminoglycoside G-418 (Colberre-Garapin et al., 1981, J. Mol. Biol. 150:1); and hygro, which confers resistance to hygromycin (Santerre et al., 1984, Gene 30:147).

Alternatively, any fusion protein can be readily purified by utilizing an antibody specific for the fusion protein being expressed. For example, a system described by Janknecht et al. allows for the ready purification of non-denatured fusion proteins expressed in human cell lines (Janknecht, et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:8972-8976). In this system, the sequence of interest is subcloned into a vaccinia recombination plasmid such that the sequence's open reading frame is translationally fused to an amino-terminal tag consisting of six histidine residues. Extracts from cells infected with recombinant vaccinia virus are loaded onto Ni²⁺, nitriloacetic acid-agarose columns and histidine-tagged proteins are selectively eluted with imidazole-containing buffers.

Also encompassed by the present invention are fusion proteins that direct a NHK to a target organ and/or facilitate transport across the membrane into the cytosol. Conjugation of NHKs to antibody molecules or their Fab fragments could be used to target cells bearing a particular epitope. Attaching an appropriate signal sequence to a NHK would also transport a NHK to a desired location within the cell. Alternatively targeting of a NHK or its nucleic acid sequence might be achieved using liposome or lipid complex based delivery systems. Such technologies are described in “Liposomes: A Practical Approach”, New, R.R.C., ed., Oxford University Press, NY, and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,594,595, 5,459,127, 5,948,767 and 6,110,490 and their respective disclosures, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Additionally embodied are novel protein constructs engineered in such a way that they facilitate transport of NHKs to a target site or desired organ, where they cross the cell membrane and/or the nucleus where the NHKs can exert their functional activity. This goal may be achieved by coupling of a NHK to a cytokine or other ligand that provides targeting specificity, and/or to a protein transducing domain (see generally U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/111,701 and 60/056,713, both of which are herein incorporated by reference, for examples of such transducing sequences), to facilitate passage across cellular membranes, and can optionally be engineered to include nuclear localization signals.

Additionally contemplated are oligopeptides that are modeled on an amino acid sequence first described in the Sequence Listing. Such NHK oligopeptides are generally between about 10 to about 100 amino acids long, or between about 16 to about 80 amino acids long, or between about 20 to about 35 amino acids long, or any variation or combination of sizes represented therein that incorporate a contiguous region of sequence first disclosed in the Sequence Listing. Such NHK oligopeptides can be of any length disclosed within the above ranges and can initiate at any amino acid position represented in the Sequence Listing.

The invention also contemplates “substantially isolated” or “substantially pure” proteins or polypeptides. By a “substantially isolated” or “substantially pure” protein or polypeptide is meant a protein or polypeptide that has been separated from at least some of those components which naturally accompany it. Typically, the protein or polypeptide is substantially isolated or pure when it is at least 60%, by weight, free from the proteins and other naturally-occurring organic molecules with which it is naturally associated in vivo. Preferably, the purity of the preparation is at least 75%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 99%, by weight. A substantially isolated or pure protein or polypeptide may be obtained, for example, by extraction from a natural source, by expression of a recombinant nucleic acid encoding the protein or polypeptide, or by chemically synthesizing the protein or polypeptide.

Purity can be measured by any appropriate method, e.g., column chromatography such as immunoaffinity chromatography using an antibody specific for the protein or polypeptide, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or HPLC analysis. A protein or polypeptide is substantially free of naturally associated components when it is separated from at least some of those contaminants which accompany it in its natural state. Thus, a polypeptide which is chemically synthesized or produced in a cellular system different from the cell from which it naturally originates will be, by definition, substantially free from its naturally associated components. Accordingly, substantially isolated or pure proteins or polypeptides include eukaryotic proteins synthesized in E. coli, other prokaryotes, or any other organism in which they do not naturally occur. 5.3 Antibodies to NHK Products

Antibodies that specifically recognize one or more epitopes of a NHK, or epitopes of conserved variants of a NHK, or peptide fragments of a NHK are also encompassed by the invention. Such antibodies include but are not limited to polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), humanized or chimeric antibodies, single chain antibodies, Fab fragments, F(ab′)₂ fragments, fragments produced by a Fab expression library, anti-idiotypic (anti-Id) antibodies, and epitope-binding fragments of any of the above.

The antibodies of the invention can be used, for example, in the detection of NHK in a biological sample and may, therefore, be utilized as part of a diagnostic or prognostic technique whereby patients may be tested for abnormal amounts of NHK. Such antibodies may also be utilized in conjunction with, for example, compound screening schemes for the evaluation of the effect of test compounds on expression and/or activity of a NHK expression product. Additionally, such antibodies can be used in conjunction gene therapy to, for example, evaluate the normal and/or engineered NHK-expressing cells prior to their introduction into the patient. Such antibodies may additionally be used as a method for the inhibition of abnormal NHK activity. Thus, such antibodies may, therefore, be utilized as part of treatment methods.

For the production of antibodies, various host animals may be immunized by injection with the NHK, an NHK peptide (e.g., one corresponding to a functional domain of an NHK), truncated NHK polypeptides (NHK in which one or more domains have been deleted), functional equivalents of the NHK or mutated variant of the NHK. Such host animals may include but are not limited to pigs, rabbits, mice, goats, and rats, to name but a few. Various adjuvants may be used to increase the immunological response, depending on the host species, including, but not limited to, Freund's adjuvant (complete and incomplete), mineral salts such as aluminum hydroxide or aluminum phosphate, chitosan, surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, and potentially useful human adjuvants such as BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin) and Corynebacterium parvum. Alternatively, the immune response could be enhanced by combination and or coupling with molecules such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin, tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid, ovalbumin, cholera toxin or fragments thereof. Polyclonal antibodies are heterogeneous populations of antibody molecules derived from the sera of the immunized animals.

Monoclonal antibodies, which are homogeneous populations of antibodies to a particular antigen, can be obtained by any technique which provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture. These include, but are not limited to, the hybridoma technique of Kohler and Milstein, (1975, Nature 256:495-497; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,110), the human B-cell hybridoma technique (Kosbor et al., 1983, Immunology Today 4:72; Cole et al., 1983, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:2026-2030), and the EBV-hybridoma technique (Cole et al., 1985, Monoclonal Antibodies And Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96). Such antibodies may be of any immunoglobulin class including IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA, IgD and any subclass thereof. The hybridoma producing the mAb of this invention may be cultivated in vitro or in vivo. Production of high titers of mAbs in vivo makes this the presently preferred method of production.

In addition, techniques developed for the production of “chimeric antibodies” (Morrison et al., 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:6851-6855; Neuberger et al., 1984, Nature, 312:604-608; Takeda et al., 1985, Nature, 314:452-454) by splicing the genes from a mouse antibody molecule of appropriate antigen specificity together with genes from a human antibody molecule of appropriate biological activity can be used. A chimeric antibody is a molecule in which different portions are derived from different animal species, such as those having a variable region derived from a murine mAb and a human immunoglobulin constant region. Such technologies are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,877,397; 6,075,181 and 6,150,584 and their respective disclosures which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Alternatively, techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies (U.S. Pat. 4,946,778; Bird, 1988, Science 242:423-426; Huston et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883; and Ward et al., 1989, Nature 341:544-546) can be adapted to produce single chain antibodies against NHK expression products.

Single chain antibodies are formed by linking the heavy and light chain fragments of the Fv region via an amino acid bridge, resulting in a single chain polypeptide. Antibody fragments which recognize specific epitopes may be generated by known techniques. For example, such fragments include, but are not limited to: the F(ab′)₂ fragments which can be produced by pepsin digestion of the antibody molecule and the Fab fragments which can be generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of the F(ab′)₂ fragments. Alternatively, Fab expression libraries may be constructed (Huse et al., .1989, Science, 246:1275-1281) to allow rapid and easy identification of monoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity.

Antibodies to a NHK can, in turn, be utilized to generate anti-idiotype antibodies that “mimic” a given NHK, using techniques well-known to those skilled in the art. (See, e.g. Greenspan & Bona, 1993, FASEB J 7(5):437-444; and Nissinoff, 1991, J. Immunol. 147(8):2429-2438). For example antibodies which bind to a NHK domain and competitively inhibit the binding of NHK to its cognate receptor/ligand can be used to generate anti-idiotypes that “mimic” the NHK and, therefore, bind, activate, or neutralize a NHK, NHK receptor, or NHK ligand. Such anti-idiotypic antibodies or Fab fragments of such anti-idiotypes can be used in therapeutic regimens involving a NHK-mediated pathway.

Additionally given the high degree of relatedness of mammalian NHKS, the presently described knock-out mice (having never seen NHK, and thus never been tolerized to NHK) have a unique utility, as they can be advantageously applied to the generation of antibodies against the disclosed mammalian NHK (i.e., NHK will be immunogenic in NHK knock-out animals).

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein, which are intended as single illustrations of individual aspects of the invention, and functionally equivalent methods and components are within the scope of the invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention, in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. All cited publications, patents, and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 

1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence that: (a) encodes the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; and (b) hybridizes under stringent conditions to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the complement thereof.
 2. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
 3. A recombinant expression vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence described in SEQ ID NO:1.
 4. The recombinant expression vector of claim 3, wherein said isolated nucleic acid molecule encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
 5. A host cell comprising the vector of claim
 3. 6. A host cell comprising the vector of claim
 4. 7. The host cell of claim 5 wherein said cell is procaryotic.
 8. The host cell of claim 5, wherein said cell is eucaryotic.
 9. The host cell of claim 5 wherein said cell is a yeast cell.
 10. The host cell of claim 5, wherein said cell is an insect cell.
 11. The host cell of claim 5, wherein said cell is an animal cell.
 12. The host cell of claim 5, wherein said cell is a mammalian cell. 